Warriors hold off Pelicans for 1st win

NEW ORLEANS — In the wake of the Warriors’ season-opening dud Tuesday, Kevin Durant noticed doomsday predictions rippling through social media. Less than 48 hours later, after an extended post-practice shooting session, the seven-time NBA All-Star put it all into perspective.

“It’s one game of 82,” Durant told a scrum of reporters, and “(you) guys make me feel like the world’s going to end.”

Any talk of doomsday scenarios was quelled Friday night at the Smoothie King Center. In their 122-114 win over the Pelicans, the Warriors flashed their much-hyped firepower.

They shot 48.4 percent from the field, tallied assists on 32 of their 44 field goals and made 25 foul shots. The new-look “Splash Brothers” — Kevin Durant (30 points), Klay Thompson (28) and Stephen Curry (23) — feasted on open looks much of the night.

Still, this was far from a coronation for the odds-on favorite to win the NBA title. New Orleans shot 28-of-51 (54.9 percent) in the second half. Two days after erupting for 50 points in his season opener, Anthony Davis had a game-high 45 points and 17 rebounds.

It wasn’t until the final minute, when Durant blocked a Davis jumper and finished with a layup on the other end, that Golden State ensured victory.

Warriors forward Kevin Durant, who scored a team-high 30 points, soars for a first-half dunk in New Orleans.

Warriors forward Kevin Durant, who scored a team-high 30 points, soars for a first-half dunk in New Orleans.

Photo: Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images

Photo: Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images

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Warriors forward Kevin Durant, who scored a team-high 30 points, soars for a first-half dunk in New Orleans.

Warriors forward Kevin Durant, who scored a team-high 30 points, soars for a first-half dunk in New Orleans.

Photo: Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images

Warriors hold off Pelicans for 1st win

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“You can see how much work we have ahead,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “We’ve got talent, but talent is not going to be enough. We have to be smart, we have to be tough, we have to just grow as a team.”

Former NBA D-League MVP Tim Frazier fueled a 24-11 run that gave the Pelicans a 74-73 lead with 4:35 left in the third quarter. Staring down the threat of an 0-2 start, the Warriors returned to the ball movement that Kerr prizes.

An 8-0 Warriors spurt became a 30-13 rally. By the time Thompson found Shaun Livingston in the key for a dunk with a little more than seven minutes left, Golden State’s lead had grown to 16 points, 103-87.

“It’s about mentally being in the right place,” said Zaza Pachulia, who bounced back from a rough opener with 10 points and 11 rebounds. “That’s what it comes down to, that and effort.”

Three days after a much-hyped season opened with a 29-point home loss to the Spurs, the Warriors arrived as double-digit favorites. New Orleans, minus three starters, fielded undistinguished players outside of Davis.

After playing at Phoenix on Sunday, the Warriors face two of their biggest Western Conference threats in Portland and Oklahoma City. Durant might again hear that the world is coming to an end soon enough.

“I just go out there and play as hard as I can and (try to) figure this whole thing out,” Durant said.